Located on Second Street which is actually Main Street in Lewes, Touch of Italy has made a name for itself up and down the Delaware and Maryland Beaches.
That’s our table on the corner of their cozy wine room. Just a few tables to be intimate and conducive to conversation.
I always ask for a Chianti. It sets the mood. ?
The Soup of the Day was Wedding Soup. TC loves it and it was very much enjoyed.
A side of Spinach was all that was needed.
The next dish dish was the Pollo Alla Parmigiana or Chicken Parm. A specialty of the house. As you can see it was huge and could very well be shared. It was breaded with their own crumbs, pan seared and then topped with munster cheese and their original tomato sauce. Served with a side of spaghetti. Leftovers galore ?
No dessert was necessary but they do have some good ones to eat in or for takeout. Their pignoli cookies are the best.
And their Eclairs are the biggest and best too. Just saying ??
An Italian shop it is. Fresh mozzarella made every day, hams and cheeses, etc.
It’s a beautiful weekend. Enjoy. AboutMyBeaches is on Facebook and Instagram.
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“Fundraising is the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.” hank rosso
With that in mind I headed south from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, to meet my friends, Cindi and Ross, for a night of fundraising in Ocean City, Maryland.
It is so interesting to see this town at this time of the year. It is so quiet, but not for long. Beachgoers will be here soon enough and they will be creating their memories at the beach. This most southern part of Downtown Ocean City is where Trimper Rides is located. It was just featured in Strange Inheritances. Trimper Rides is a family owned and operated business located in prime real estate in O.C. Not to see the lights and the laughing and screaming visitors is a sight to be seen.
For a few years…I will call them, the movers and shakers in Ocean City, Maryland, have been diligently fundraising for a much needed hospice facility in the area. Together they are building the funds in order for construction to begin. They need $5,000,000. Already they have $3,000,000 thanks to the generosity of all in the communities.
“Hospice patients most often choose to remain at home. However, a growing number find that at the end of life they are unable to manage alone or need more than a frail spouse can provide. Suddenly, home is no longer the safest place to receive hospice care.” Coastal Hospice at the Ocean will serve the Lower Shore region. For more information, please visit http://www.coastalhospice.org. Or, please call Maureen McNeill, the Director of Development at 410-641-5481.
Unreal to see the award winning Boardwalk this quiet!! Inside Harrison’s Harbor Watch the mood was anything but quiet. It was a festive event with about 225 in attendance.
Harrison’s Habor Watch is located at 806 S. Atlantic Ave., overlooking the Inlet and Assateague Island. This is the southern end of the Boardwalk.
Having fun while raising funds…the main focus of the evening. Blindly choosing a bottle of wine…$20. Raffles!
The live entertainment was by Lauren Glick and Mike Armstrong.
Seventeen of Ocean City’s restaurants brought their “A” dishes to this event. Each station was paired with a unique wine complementing the food.
Oysters to start with were from Harrison’s Harbor Watch. Plump, salty and cold!! We are by the water so having them to start our evening was a no brainer.
Sushi from OC Wasabi. This was a popular station, to say the least.
My love affair with Fried Green Tomatoes continues. Having these ones from Sunset Grille, topped with Crab Remoulade, well, what can I say….awesome!!
They had just brought out the warm crab dip from Crabs to Go…paired with a light Prosecco.
One of my favorite tapas of the evening….Embers/Blu Tuna Tartare Tacos, and, Smoked Salmon Napoleon. The tuna, the lime, the cilantro and the presentation…great.
Touch of Italy has been in Ocean City for the past year. Love that they always take their time to teach their customers about what they offer.
Hooked offered a terrific combination of Basil Scented Tuna.
Barn 34…what a great job!! Two complete different offerings. The stuffed dates…the combination of salt and sweetness. Never fails. Can’t wait to have them again. The shrimp stuffed with cheese were also awesome!!
Spring Lamb from the Atlantic Hotel in Berlin. I like mint sauce vs. mint jelly, though. Very good indeed.
I usually do not eat eggs for breakfast, but deviled eggs are a different thing altogether. These were Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs!! The Cucumber Cups with Spicy Crab Dip….can’t wait for summer. This was presented by Seacrets!
My last tasting was of Crab Guacamole served with Fresh Tortilla Chips from the Captain’s Table.
Sweet Ending Desserts!!
Sweet Dispositions offered: Pecan Diamonds, Key Lime Tartlettes, and White Chocolate, Macademia Nut Cookies!!
Desserts by Rita had assorted Cupcakes!!
Wockenfuss Candies….Now, take a look at the elegant Chocolate Covered Strawberries!!
Tasting, sipping continued for a few hours. It was a total success!!
Cindi, Ross, and I decided that it was time to hit the road…..but not before Cindi showed us that Wine is a Girl’s best friend!!
Note: It was about 9:30 p.m….look at the Boardwalk!! Not one person.
Waiting for Summer 2015!!
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Here we were, the usual suspects….we do have a younger suspect, Jade!! We were ready to Chowdown for Charity, an event that took place on Friday, February 6th, at Baywood Greens Golf Course in Long Neck, Delaware. It was an evening of food tasting, voting and mingling. Much loved local chefs were cooking for a cause….Next Gen South of the Delaware Community Foundation, http://www.delcf.org. This is a non-profit board of young professionals from Kent & Sussex Counties that was founded in 2012.
Next Gen South selects an area of focus every 2 years based on what is needed in our communities. Presently, the focus is and has been for the past 2 years, Children’s Mental Health. This is one fundraising event that lets this organization award grants to local organizations on an annual basis. Next Gen South might be young but in 2014 they awarded $15,000 to: Delaware Guidance Services, Delaware State University, The Seaford House.
Chefs were ready for the guests….remember we were given 3 tickets to put on our favorites. A friendly competition would be taking place.
ABBOTT’S ON BROAD CREEK – This restaurant is located in Laurel; http://www.abbottsgrillde.com. It is a sister restaurant to Abbot’s Grill in Milford. Chef Ryan Cunningham was serving Smoked Strip Loin with a Scallop Vinaigrette & Coriander Popcorn.
Loved the addition of the popcorn to the tender beef. Ryan asked us to come to Laurel for a real treat this year.
a(MUSE.) – Located in Dowtown Rehoboth Beach, http://www.amuse-rehoboth.com. Hari was hard at work, but always explaining exactly what he is cooking. Pumpernickel Pasta? OMG!! This pasta tasted just like pumpernickel bread. You had to be there to experience it, but Hari said he has it at the restaurant, among other amazing tasting pasta flavors. It was served with Brussel Sprouts, Pastrami Beef Cheek, Charred Onion & Pickled Mustard Seed.
The pasta was cooked to perfection and the other flavors complemented already a winning central ingredient.
LUPO DI MARE – Located in Downtown Rehoboth Beach, http://www.lupodimarerehoboth.com. This restaurant is part of the family of SODEL Concepts restaurants and started by the late and much missed Matt Haley.
They were serving Rustic Meatballs, Parmesan Polenta with Tomato Gravy. I can’t make a good meatball, so always enjoy little morsels like these ones. They did tell us that this was not their signature meatball…prepared exclusively for this event.
PAPA GRANDE’S – Two locations: Downtown Rehoboth Beach and Fenwick Island. A Delaware coastal taqueria. http://www.papagrandes.com/rehoboth. Papa Grande’s is also part of the SODEL family of restaurants.
I love Scrapple!! And, this is what they were serving…House Scrapple Tostada, Hibiscus Jelly, Apple Radish Jimaca Salad, Corn Chip. Having had their scrapple taco last year….of course just by looking at these tostadas, I knew they were going to have an awesome taste.
They asked if we had had their Duck Scrapple….and that they were planning on a crab scrapple this summer….can’t wait.
THE BRICK HOTEL RESTAURANT & TAVERN – Located in Georgetown on The Circle, http://www.brickhotelrestaurant.com. The chefs were serving Black Cherry Braised Beef with a Root Vegetable Puree & Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
The black cherry flavored was detected on the braised beef. It was cooked in a 250 degree oven for 6 hours. It melted in your mouth. Totally delish!
THE WALL OF WINE – This has become very popular at events. Wine aficionados love it….more so if they get a prized bottle of wine. You pay $20 and then get to choose a wrapped bottle of wine from the wall. You might get the $10 bottle or a very expensive bottle. A ticket was also given for a raffle….a bottle of Dom Perignon at the end of the evening!!
I love St. Louis Ribs more than any other rib. That’s what they were serving. Smoked St. Louis Ribs, caramelized in a Habanero Apple Cider, served with a Jalapeno Slaw. Got those tastebuds dancing immediately!!
TOUCH OF ITALY – A trattoria, salumeria and pasticeria….http://www.touchofitaly.com. These restaurants can be found in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, and Ocean City, Maryland.
Making mozzarella…it looked time consuming, but also relaxing. Take a look.
Smaller mozzarella balls were served with rosemary and EVOO!!
ESPUMA RESTAURANT & MARTINI BAR – Located in Downtown Rehoboth Beach,http://www.espuma-restaurant.com Chef Jay Caputo was serving Spanish Style Clam Chowder topped with Potato Foam and Scallion Powder.
The biscuits were filled with the creamy, and well seasoned clam chowder. I liked it a lot.
Love this tapas eating style….grazing here or there!! We tried them all!! Next!!
FINS FISH HOUSE & RAW BAR – In Downtown Rehoboth Beach and with a sister restaurant on Coastal Highway, http://www.finsrawbar.com. Another time consuming dish is making risotto.
FINS did a great job with their Crab & Shrimp Risotto. It was delicious!!
LAST STOP!!
THE ROOKERY – Located in Milford…2 golf course locations, Milton and Milford, http://www.rookerygolf.com. We finished our Chowdown with a treat of Ahi Tuna with a Ginger Lime Soy, served over a Seaweed Salad, Cucumber & Wasabi Tobiko. Excellent ending!!
We then continued to listen to DJ Jimmy Young, who provided great entertaining throughout the evening. Plenty of items on the silent auction raising funds for a great cause.
Have a good one!!
THE WINNER? a(MUSE.) Congratulations!!
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When I asked my friends if they wanted to go ghost hunting with Delmarva Historic Haunts, they were a little skeptical. But, they got out of their box and decided to join in….why not? Last Saturday, October 25th, was the perfect night for such an adventure. But, first things first…..hungry we were and we did not have to be at the Lewes Historical Society until 10:15 p.m. You heard right….the event was the second of the evening…both sold out!! There is an interest about the paranormal, really.
We arrived in Lewes with no idea where we would eat….then, the place around the corner. Touch of Italy located at 101 2nd St. in the heart of Lewes. It was the perfect dinner; a table just for us in the corner, no rush, stay as long as you want. Their website is http://www.touchofitaly.com. Tel. 302-827-2730.
A little wine and bread on the table.
Insalata Caprese
Traditional Cheese Ravioli
The Eggplant!!
The Bolognese!!
The Penne Pesto with Chicken…Awesome!!
The service was so good. We all decided that the food was excellent and the perfect restaurant for such an interesting evening.
Last year I heard about Delmarva Historic Haunts. It was at this same time when, again, the Lewes Historical Society had them come to Lewes for a ghost hunting experience. When you think about it, Lewes is the first town in the First State. These homes and buildings are some of the oldest in the state. To understand the present, you have to unleash the past. And, that’s what we were going to do.
We were going to visit the buildings that are under the Lewes Historical Society charge. We met at the Lewes Historical Society Complex….at the School House. This school house c 1898 is one of the few one room schools left in Delaware.
Everything was ready…the earlier ghost hunting brought a lot of activity to the visitors.
Rick Coherd is the Founder and CEO of Delmarva Historic Haunts, which started in 2011. What he told us was that “The Past is the Future with The Lights On”. These buildings have seen wars, births, deaths, families….they have been lived. To know more about Delmarva Historic Haunts, please visit htpp://www.delmarvahistorichaunts.com.
In the school house, there was a presentation and some of the instruments that they use for sensing paranormal activity.
Delmarva Historic Haunts take their work seriously. They offer “paranormal investigations and programs to help fund historical sites”. On that evening $2,500 were raised. Delmarva Historic Haunts donated those funds to the Lewes Historical Society. Thanks!!
So, for the ones that want to joke around…he asked that we would not pinch our friends to pretend an entity had done so, if you get my drift. We were divided into groups. I was given a K-2 which lights up when sensing paranormal activity.
They also brought along, what they called a torch….a flashlight. Then, another instrument for temperature.
In each of the homes, a docent was present explaining the history of the structure or museum. Then, the next part of the tour was in the darkness, pretty much. So no more photos from me at this time.
In the Lewes Historical Society Complex there are 9 buildings. These buildings “tell the story of Lewes through the centuries since its founding”.
On this particular night we visited:
Rabbits Ferry House c 1740
Burton-Ingram House c 1789
Thompson Country Store c 1800
Old Doctor’s Office c 1840
Midway School c 1898
We also walked through Lewes towards the Cannonball House c 1760. This house was struck by a British cannonball during the War of 1812. It is located at the corner of Bank and Front Streets. Walking around Lewes at that time of the night when you are ghost hunting is an experience in itself.
So, you want to know if we saw or felt anything right?
Every time we entered one of the buildings we would go to the first designated room. We would say our names…..someone would ask to show their presence. The torch or flashlight would be placed on a table. We would stand back. The ones, like me, that were holding the K-2 would have them out for everyone to see if their were changes in the light colors.
There was plenty of action, in all the dwellings. My neighbor, Chris, was one of those very skeptical. We were all in the Thompson Country Store. Darkness….questions asked, and flashlight kept going on and off depending on the question. Nobody was touching it. Chris said: “My thighs are so cold from the inside out”. They put the temperature gage and you could see the temperature dropping very rapidly. I think she was freaking out! My K-2 was flashing like crazy, and the guy next to me was feeling that coldness from the inside out, as well, from the toes to his chest.
The funny thing is, Chris is never cold. She hardly wears a coat so as I write this I am laughing because just to see her face was priceless as she described it. Lol!!
We were in the Cannonball House….3rd floor where activity is usually encountered. But, just as we got into the room, they said we had to move to the next museum. Everyone had left the room, except my friend, Debbie, and I. I turned around with my K-2 on hand and said “Come on aren’t you going to light this up?” OMG the K-2 started flashing like crazy going into different colors. Debbie and I were looking at each other and were then leaving the room and it was at the 3rd step of the stairs when it completely stopped. One more flashing after leaving the building and one more flashing on the corner…..I think the whole town has paranormal activity.
Delmarva Historic Haunts is planning on coming back in November. I will let you know. You have to have an open mind….
November 14th – Lunch & Learn. The Wreath-Making Industry of Milton.
December 6th – The 41st Annual Christmas Tour of Lewes.
See you!!
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Yesterday, I said to Michael that I wanted to invite him to the new Touch of Italy in Lewes. It just opened up on the 26th. How could he not agree to this invitation? Irresistible, I know. He was going to be my guinea pig. I did not want to eat anything. I have been eating too much and with the Holidays upon us, I needed to restrain myself a bit.
The new Touch of Italy is located at 101 Second Street, Lewes, Delaware. Tel. 302-827-2730. The website for Touch of Italy is www.touchofitalyde.com.
The residents in Lewes must be thrilled. Second Street has so many varied restaurants; for all tastes. We have been watching that corner of Second St. and Savannah Rd. for months. Now I was about to enter this Salumeria, Pasticceria and Trattoria.
Salumi is Italian for meats that are cured. So, it is a “cured meat shop” carrying classic cured meats and sausages.
A Pasticceria is a pastry shop. And, a Trattoria is an eatery; less formal than a restaurant; no printed menus, therefore, casual.
Touch of Italy was busy. They are still moving things here or there but you can feel that it is going to be great. The first thing that happened was that we were welcomed with an almond macaroon, half covered in chocolate. I really did not want to eat it; then I did and I wanted more. Don’t worry I did not.
Then I started to look around and take in the atmosphere of the place. The hanging hams, cheeses and sausages reminded me when I was in Spain years ago and saw all the Serranos hams hanging from the ceilings.
Olives, white anchovies, roasted peppers, squid, and so much more on one section.
Sausages, cheeses, among other delicacies in the following section.
The cookies and pastries, some packaged and ready to go and others waiting for us, the customers.
Pastas, sauces and other Italian staples were ready for purchase, as well. These are perfect for unexpected guests.
I talked to Lou who is one of the owners and since they had just moved in they did not have a take-out menu yet. On the corner of the shop, in glass, for everyone to see, Michael will be making fresh mozzarella, practically every day. That room will hold instruction but that will be announced later, after they get more settled.
Tables will also be available soon so that you can eat comfortably.
Then Michael finally decided on what hero to order. A hero sandwich is called a Po’Boy in New Orleans, a sub in many other areas or a hoagie. The hero sandwiches are large sandwiches on baguettes that have a distinct Italian flavor.
The basic ingredients? 2 Italian meats, and provolone cheese; condiments are varied but only oil and vinegar will coat both sides of the bread.
There is a menu board at Touch of Italy and Michael chose the Rocky Marciano. This hero had hot sopressata, sharp provolone cheese imported from Italy, roasted peppers and extra virgin olive oil, in a homemade semolina Italian bread with sesame seeds.
The sopressata is an Italian cured dry salami. It is traditionally made out of pork; fresh hams or beef are also used and often include hot peppers. It also has a rustic look when sliced. It is a specialty of southern Italy.
After thanking them and offering our best wishes we ran to the car. When Michael first opened the hero sandwich he said that it just looked like a sub, which it was, basically. But, it was only when he bit into it that the words were; “Oh, this is so good, the best I have ever had. No, wait, maybe second best after the one I had in New York”. He kept on going on about the combination of the meat, the cheese and the roasted peppers all complementing each other. The bread was outstanding. I knew he was going to be my perfect guinea pig; he has had his share of heros/subs. Finally, he gave me a bite; ditto.
Please note that Touch of Italy has another location on 33A Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-226-1500. I wrote a post when they first opened. If you would like to see it, just go on the left hand side of this blog and click on October, 2009, under Archives and scroll down to the 16th.
Best wishes to Touch of Italy…..and talk to you later….
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